Dealer What is up with Dealers?

[indianaEPH]

I'm trying to decide on a compact tractor to buy. I really like the CK30. So I called my closest dealer (name withheld). Normally I would drive to the dealer to talk about the purschase but the closest is about 60 miles away. I ask if he has a CK30 in stock. He said yes. When I asked him the price he said that he would have to call me back (??). Ok, I gave him my number but he never called. I called again. I got a different person. She said someone else would need to call back. They never did.

Anyone have a similar experience?

 

[Agro-oti]

Ever stop to think that maybe only one or two people know the prices,and they both were out on sales calls? It happens quite often at our small dealership. The parts and service guys are not always the best at getting info,and passing on messages. Give them another chance,or see if they have an email addy.

 

[dbear]

Ever stop to think that maybe only one or two people know the prices,and they both were out on sales calls?

I suppose that might be true, but I think it's pretty stupid on their part! If your business is customer service, you better be prepared to do business when your customers want to; not when you want to.

I had a similar experience where the dealer wanted me to make a appointment to speak with the one, count him, one person who knew the product and could quote prices. They wouldn't even give me a ballpark list price without consulting the "man". I haven't called, let alone set foot on their lot, again.

 

[BTDT]

I would drive over and take a look. He might have been telling you yes, then calling his buddies to see what they will sell him one for, mark up and figure what to sell to you for to make a profit. (Just kidding) But on your way to visit with this dealer, you might pass a JD, FORD, MANINDRA, ETC.,ETC. that you could stop and look at. Then you would have some info for bargaining. Well such and such will sell me a ___ for x$$$. Can you beat that deal?

 

[indianaEPH]

Ever stop to think that maybe only one or two people know the prices,and they both were out on sales calls? It happens quite often at our small dealership. The parts and service guys are not always the best at getting info,and passing on messages. Give them another chance,or see if they have an email addy.

I'm OK with there is only one person in the dealership that can give me a price but the problem is they never called back. That just does not make sense to me.

I wonder what to expect if I needed warrenty service??

 

[johnk]

I'd bypass that dealer and shop around. There are a lot of good brands including Kioti that will give you better customer service than him. You said it when you stated " What about Warranty service??" OOOps nobody home..

 

[thcri]

Ever stop to think that maybe only one or two people know the prices,and they both were out on sales calls? It happens quite often at our small dealership. The parts and service guys are not always the best at getting info,and passing on messages. Give them another chance,or see if they have an email addy.

If you have to call a dealer twice with still no answer I would be moving on down to the next dealer. That is not acceptable in my book. If they don't return your call on a sales ticket there sure won't call you when you need service.

murph

 

[Hard]

There are a lot of 30hp tractors out there built by several good manufacturers. Move on and find a different dealer/tractor. Why waste your time on this guy who won't even give you a price.

 

[DK35vince]

If you have to call a dealer twice with still no answer I would be moving on down to the next dealer. That is not acceptable in my book. If

I'm with Murph on this one.
If I called a dealer (twice) for a price and still got no call back, I would scratch that dealer permanantly off my list.

 

[TomKioti]

My guess is they may think your either not serious OR competition that's checking them out. The only dealers that return my phone calls are the ones I've talked to in person and remember me. To them you may just be a voice on the other end of the line. Just my 2 cents.

 

[HODAK]

Insterad of "What is up with Dealers?", how about "What is up with this dealer"?. A return call should be made by them. They can give a list price and then tell you to stop in to discuss or at least say that they don't give out prices over the phone. I guess it depends on how much they need the business. A salesman should always consider someone who shows interest as a possible sale, no matter what the product - that's their job. Two calls and no reply?? Move on........ My.02

 

[Agro-oti]

If you have to call a dealer twice with still no answer I would be moving on down to the next dealer. That is not acceptable in my book. If they don't return your call on a sales ticket there sure won't call you when you need service.

murph

Can you truthfully tell me you've never in your life neglected to return a call or two? Kinda harsh on the dealer are you not?

 

[TomKioti]

Let me be more direct with my point.

You are not going to get anything concrete done with most dealers over the phone, especially on pricing. Most are reluctant to give good quotes in that manner. Get off the couch, turn off the computer and actually make an effort. Do you cold call NEW CAR dealerships and get anywhere on price? I don't think so. You need to see what your buying/pricing and interact with these guys/gals. Most are (not all mind you) good folks that genuinely like to help people. You gotta get off your can and do the work if you truly want a great deal. And if you shop and read these boards you will accomplish just that.
It's all here for you but you gotta work it.

I hope I didn't come off harsh as that was not my intention. Good luck in your dealer search!

Tom

 

[Bedlam]

Well, when dealers get big they forget who the customer was. My dealer sold out, but the new sales people I assume didnt take me seriously. I visited and they gave me prices. I emailed pics of my trade in, they didnt call, they didnt email
I called called again, emailed, and finally went in.. the guy wasnt there. I left a message no responce. that was a year ago now..
I moved on found a dealer 60 miles away and he would tell me the trade right over the phone.. and did some email too.So you never know some really get out there and want to sell others dont. same as any other sales thing. Do what you gotta do...
Al

 

[thcri]

Can you truthfully tell me you've never in your life neglected to return a call or two? Kinda harsh on the dealer are you not?

Nope, not being harsh on the dealer, I would be just moving on to someone else. If you want to mess around with no return calls go ahead, that is your business. If your a dealer yourself then I would hope you don't run your business that way. I will accept one missed call but two tells me they just don't care or I am not important to them.

murph

 

[Agro-oti]

Nope, not being harsh on the dealer, I would be just moving on to someone else. If you want to mess around with no return calls go ahead, that is your business. If your a dealer yourself then I would hope you don't run your business that way. I will accept one missed call but two tells me they just don't care or I am not important to them.

murph

Personally no,we return all calls,and go out and look at trade-ins........... But you also have to remember some of these dealers are Ag dealers first,and do business a bit different then you might be used to. Just because you felt slitghed,does not mean that is the way it was meant to be. Like every thing else in life that involves human interaction,there are two sides to every story.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Well, when dealers get big they forget who the customer was.

I disagree. I think some dealers are good and some just suck. I deal with a large AG dealer and I deal with a modest sized mom/pop dealer. Both dealers call me back. Both give me great service, always have. The big dealer ordered a tractor that I was interested in because he didn't have one on the lot. He brought it in to my specs, but I was not obligated to buy it, and he did it all over the phone before I ever stepped into the dealership. That is AMAZING service!

My guess is they may think your either not serious OR competition that's checking them out.

If you call 2 times that should indicate that you are serious. If you leave your phone number they can figure out pretty easily that you are NOT another dealer.

Insterad of "What is up with Dealers?", how about "What is up with this dealer"?

I totally agree with you. Big or small, some dealers just are not quality dealers. Your points about the follow up, or lack thereof, by "this" dealer are well placed. I've walked out of my local JD dealership TWICE because I couldn't get a sales person to talk to me, and both times I walked in with a checkbook in hand ready to buy a tractor. Some dealerships just don't get it. Period.

Can you truthfully tell me you've never in your life neglected to return a call or two? Kinda harsh on the dealer are you not?

You forgot to use the little "sarcastic" smilie after posting that. Harsh on the dealer. Heck no. The dealer doesn't call back after TWO calls and you want the guy to call him back again. Not a chance in heck that I would do that. This is the era of good service and internet shopping. There are a dozen brands out there fighting for customer's money, and dealer who can deliver the tractor at a fair price is the one who deserves the business.

I will accept one missed call but two tells me they just don't care or I am not important to them.

murph

EXACTLY

 

[kenmac]

I shop for my vehicles by phone . Sure, I go to the lot when they are closed to see what I want. Then, I call on the phone and ask price. I don't have the time to go dealer to dealer like in the old days. If I get one that doesn't call me back,I mark them off the list.If that tractor dealer won't call you back then, it's his / her loss. Move on to the next.

 

[TomKioti]

C' mon Guys,

You mean a competing dealer wouldn't use covert means to price check his competition? Get real. Happens every day. Also in my business I get tire kickers all day long on the phone. Out of 40 to 60 calls a week mabye one will actually show up and write a contract and that's after pouring sugar all over 'em. I sell commercial retail space and not tractors, but my point IS... these guys do not have the time and energy to return EVERY quote call they get right away. That's all I'm saying. The people that actually show up are always going to be the priority, until you form a relationship with the dealer and salesperson. Why is that so hard for you guys to understand?

Here's a thought... Mabye the salesperson is actually out in the yard making a sale with a customer that showed up and doesn't have time to return all his calls.... ya think? Don't be so dismissive of the dealer.
Talk to them face to face and if He or She is really a jerk, then let them know on the spot and walk away. More times than not they'll be glad to help you. I've expierienced both types and the good guys are way ahead of the bad in my region. Only had one bad salesman recently, but he did give me a good price. See Bizzare Dealeship Exp. in the John Deere Buying & Pricing section.

I think I'm up to .06 cents now and lucky for you all I'm running out of change.

 

[Hard]

Can you truthfully tell me you've never in your life neglected to return a call or two? Kinda harsh on the dealer are you not?

Any good salesman will at least respond with a phone call minimally to thank the prospect for calling and showing interest in his product. The sales pro at that point should try to set an appointment for the prospect to test the product. If the prospect insists on a price over the phone then give the prospect a competitive price. There is not a tractor salesman in the country so busy that he cannot return phone calls from prospective buyers at the end of the day especially if they are paid partially or in total on commission.

There is no excuse what so ever for a salesman not return a potential sales call. That's what he is there for.